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Human nose offers hope for new antibiotic
nose
"The notion that human microflora may also be a source of antimicrobial agents is a new discovery."
Scientists say 'lugdunin' can fight multi-resistant pathogens
 
Bacteria in the human nose can produce a previously unknown antibiotic that is able to combat multi-resistant pathogens, according to scientists from the University of Tübingen in Germany.

The novel antibiotic is produced by Staphylococcus lugdunensis, which colonises in the human nose. Tests on mice have shown the substance, which has been named lugdunin, is effective against multi-resistant pathogens where classic antibiotics have ceased to work.

The human nasal cavity is the natural habitat for harmful Staphylococcus bacteria. But scientists found that when Staphylococcus lugdunensis is present in the nose, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is rarely found.

Commenting on the novel discovery, study author Professor Andreas Peschel explained: "Normally antibiotics are formed only by soil bacteria and fungi. The notion that human microflora may also be a source of antimicrobial agents is a new discovery."

Scientists from the Institute of Organic Chemistry found lugdunin is made up of a previously unseen ring structure of protein blocks. It therefore establishes a new class of materials.

The issue of antibiotic resistance is one of increasing concern - infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria such as MRSA are among the leading causes of death globally.

Another of the study's authors, Dr Bernhard Krismer, said: "There are estimates that suggest that more people will die from resistant bacteria in the coming decades than cancer. The improper use of antibiotics strengthens this alarming development."

Many of the pathogens cannot be avoided as they are part of human microflora on skin and mucous membranes. For those with serious underlying illnesses and weakened immune systems, they pose a particular threat.

The research team's findings, which have been published in the journal Nature, offer new ways to find antibiotics and develop strategies for the prevention of infection. Future work will aim to find out whether lugdunin could be used in therapy. One possibility is to give patients at risk from MRSA a harmless lugdunin-forming bacteria to prevent infection.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.